TEACHER'S CORNER: LAUREL RHODES TEACHES SECOND GRADE AT KELSO

NEW HAMGURG -- When Laurel Rhodes was a child, she spent hours playing school with her friends; she was always the teacher.

"I guess I always wanted to be a teacher," she said.

Rhodes teaches second grade at Kelso C-7 school district in New Hamburg. This is her 17th year in teaching. In addition to second grade, she has taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades during her tenure.

"I came from a family of educators," Rhodes said. "Both of my parents were educators in the Southeast Missouri area and my sister is currently a teacher in Mexico, Mo."

Rhodes said she especially likes teaching youngsters in primary grades.

"I really enjoy working with the lower elementary children because they are so enthusiastic in what they are learning," she said. "They are always ready to please their teacher."

That enthusiasm spills over to their teacher, Rhodes said.

"I can't think of anything more gratifying than watching an expression of confusion on a child's face change to an expression of `I know what I'm doing!,'" she said. "It's so fulfilling to know that you are a part of molding that child's life for the future.

"Watching a child make academic progress throughout the year is so amazing. What they know at the beginning of the school year doesn't compare to what they've learned by the end of the year."

Rhodes is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She and her husband, Steve, live in Jackson with their two children, Eric, 12, and Sarah, 9.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, cross stitching, walking and traveling.